Top 100 Greatest Music Albums by PeterSmith 
I've been listening to lots of albums new to me over the last few years having grown up to late 70's and 80's soundtrack. I had foolishly chucked learning new music as we entered the 90's thinking I had my bands and albums that I would need. I missed so much excellent stuff.
I recall liking a lot of stuff I was hearing on the radio as we moved into the 2000's but didn't follow up with who they were - I have since found many of these songs on albums that I have since listened to.
Takes a wee bit to shift the albums and artists you've grown up with and loved for years, but slowly working through many classic albums and some more obscure stuff getting highlighted on this web site - loving the journey and some of it is shifting my old favourites for sure.
Grew up with Pink Floyd, Bowie, Queen, Lou Reed, Iggy Pop, U2, Bob Marley.
Loving the Rap and Hip Hop of NWA, Kanye West, Public Enemy & Jay Z.
Loving the Alt Rock, Indie Rock , Space and Electronic Rock of the likes of Grandaddy, Interpol, The Killers, White Stripes, REM, MGMT, Muse, Franz Ferdinand amongst others.
Loving the more ambient and folky sound of Bon Iver, Fleet Foxes, Grandaddy, Sigur Ros, Air.
Loving the more punky sound of Greenday, Pixies, Jane's Addiction and Modest Mouse
And finding some old classics with The Beatles, Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, Carole King.
Also finding that familiarity does play a big part - don't often love albums straight away and need to give them half dozen listens before I start to get it.
I have revamped the results and removed the 2 artist max and just went for my favourites. Meant it has pushed out artists like Paul Weller, Garbage, Bob Marley, Elliot Smith, The Cure, The National, Beck, Foo Fighters, Beatles, Bob Dylan, Adele, The Band, Leftfield and Akon to name but a few - sorry folks.
- Chart updated: 12/28/2021 22:15
- (Created: 11/13/2017 23:37).
- Chart size: 100 albums.
There are 24 comments for this chart from BestEverAlbums.com members and Top 100 Greatest Music Albums has an average rating of 88 out of 100 (from 38 votes). Please log in or register to leave a comment or assign a rating.
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Funk
First listen for me in 2020 after enjoying There's A Riot Going On - but this album just reached out for me more. Had never been too into Funk so don't know how early this is in the funk genre but it does seem pretty early with a '69 release date.
This is the sort of album I would never have come across before joining this site. Everday People is the stand out track for me but what a funky album. [First added to this chart: 08/13/2020]
First listen for me in 2020 after enjoying There's A Riot Going On - but this album just reached out for me more. Had never been too into Funk so don't know how early this is in the funk genre but it does seem pretty early with a '69 release date.
This is the sort of album I would never have come across before joining this site. Everday People is the stand out track for me but what a funky album. [First added to this chart: 08/13/2020]
Year of Release:
1969
Appears in:
Rank Score:
3,658
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26
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Rock
This was a new listen in 2020 and totally took me by surprise. All I knew of the Beach Boys was their California surfing sound - and expected with a title about the Surf that this was gonna be more of the same. That would not have been a bad thing, and although I enjoy the technical complexity of that style, I found this set of tunes much more enjoyable and accessible for me. Yeah there are still some of their signature close harmonies but it is a much more straight forward album with nearly every tune strong. [First added to this chart: 06/14/2020]
This was a new listen in 2020 and totally took me by surprise. All I knew of the Beach Boys was their California surfing sound - and expected with a title about the Surf that this was gonna be more of the same. That would not have been a bad thing, and although I enjoy the technical complexity of that style, I found this set of tunes much more enjoyable and accessible for me. Yeah there are still some of their signature close harmonies but it is a much more straight forward album with nearly every tune strong. [First added to this chart: 06/14/2020]
Year of Release:
1971
Appears in:
Rank Score:
2,220
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Indie Rock
First heard this in 2019 and love their chilled relax desolate feel. "Blame It On The Tetons" just resonates with me and is one of my all time fav songs. [First added to this chart: 05/02/2020]
First heard this in 2019 and love their chilled relax desolate feel. "Blame It On The Tetons" just resonates with me and is one of my all time fav songs. [First added to this chart: 05/02/2020]
Year of Release:
2004
Appears in:
Rank Score:
4,380
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Alternative Rock
Another band my brothers tried to get me into but took a while before I was ready to start listening - started with Daisies of the Galaxy and got a few other albums before I got this one only in 2017 which I think is their best - great band on record and live [First added to this chart: 02/17/2018]
Another band my brothers tried to get me into but took a while before I was ready to start listening - started with Daisies of the Galaxy and got a few other albums before I got this one only in 2017 which I think is their best - great band on record and live [First added to this chart: 02/17/2018]
Year of Release:
1996
Appears in:
Rank Score:
2,052
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Rock
Only got round to listening to this album in 2020 - recognised many of the classic tracks and quickly took to the others. It has a more mature sound and sounds like a jam going on. [First added to this chart: 08/13/2020]
Only got round to listening to this album in 2020 - recognised many of the classic tracks and quickly took to the others. It has a more mature sound and sounds like a jam going on. [First added to this chart: 08/13/2020]
Year of Release:
1970
Appears in:
Rank Score:
7,710
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Folk Rock
I had previously heard Stories From The City and enjoyed it without it blowing me away. So I wasn't expecting too much from this upon first listen in 2019. But the songs just seemed to hit me with nearly every track scoring 4/5 for me. She is a great singer. [First added to this chart: 11/13/2019]
I had previously heard Stories From The City and enjoyed it without it blowing me away. So I wasn't expecting too much from this upon first listen in 2019. But the songs just seemed to hit me with nearly every track scoring 4/5 for me. She is a great singer. [First added to this chart: 11/13/2019]
Year of Release:
2011
Appears in:
Rank Score:
6,323
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Prog Rock with some synth pop rock
First heard the album in summer 2021 but then recognised many of the singles from it. Not sure if there is a hint of nostalgia for me with this but it is unashamedly indulgent. I am a sucker for these grandiose sweeping melodies and throw in a bit of concept - time traveler seeking to return - and I am there. [First added to this chart: 12/28/2021]
First heard the album in summer 2021 but then recognised many of the singles from it. Not sure if there is a hint of nostalgia for me with this but it is unashamedly indulgent. I am a sucker for these grandiose sweeping melodies and throw in a bit of concept - time traveler seeking to return - and I am there. [First added to this chart: 12/28/2021]
Year of Release:
1981
Appears in:
Rank Score:
2,574
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Alternative Rock - Progressive Rock - Space Rock
Another band I missed at the time, but picked them up through looking at some chart in 2017. Again snapped up their back catalogue and love their strong, vibrant noise. I see comparisons to Thom Yorke vocal on occasion although generally more theatrical [First added to this chart: 02/17/2018]
Another band I missed at the time, but picked them up through looking at some chart in 2017. Again snapped up their back catalogue and love their strong, vibrant noise. I see comparisons to Thom Yorke vocal on occasion although generally more theatrical [First added to this chart: 02/17/2018]
Year of Release:
2006
Appears in:
Rank Score:
6,402
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Pop Rock
Loved this when it first came out and continue to love it now.
"This Is Your Land" and "Belfast Child" just blow me away. A delightful guest appearance by Lou Reed - money can't buy him. [First added to this chart: 02/17/2018]
Loved this when it first came out and continue to love it now.
"This Is Your Land" and "Belfast Child" just blow me away. A delightful guest appearance by Lou Reed - money can't buy him. [First added to this chart: 02/17/2018]
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Folk Rock
Only came to this in 2021 - it is a style that I have become more drawn to over the years - I don't know why but really enjoy the odd twang of the banjo in here - it is not overpowering or in your face . Love so much on the album but probably fav is Little Lion Man [First added to this chart: 12/28/2021]
Only came to this in 2021 - it is a style that I have become more drawn to over the years - I don't know why but really enjoy the odd twang of the banjo in here - it is not overpowering or in your face . Love so much on the album but probably fav is Little Lion Man [First added to this chart: 12/28/2021]
Year of Release:
2009
Appears in:
Rank Score:
1,810
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Comments:
Total albums: 100. Page 4 of 10
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Top 100 Greatest Music Albums composition
| Decade | Albums | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
 |
|
|
| 1930s | 0 | 0% | |
| 1940s | 0 | 0% | |
| 1950s | 1 | 1% | |
| 1960s | 5 | 5% | |
| 1970s | 25 | 25% | |
| 1980s | 16 | 16% | |
| 1990s | 17 | 17% | |
| 2000s | 25 | 25% | |
| 2010s | 11 | 11% | |
| 2020s | 0 | 0% |
| Artist | Albums | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
 |
|
|
| Arcade Fire | 3 | 3% | |
| U2 | 3 | 3% | |
| Queen | 2 | 2% | |
| Stevie Wonder | 2 | 2% | |
| Neutral Milk Hotel | 2 | 2% | |
| David Bowie | 2 | 2% | |
| The Beatles | 2 | 2% | |
| Show all | |||
| Country | Albums | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
51 | 51% | |
| |
34 | 34% | |
 |
5 | 5% | |
 |
3 | 3% | |
 |
3 | 3% | |
 |
2 | 2% | |
 |
1 | 1% | |
| Show all | |||
Top 100 Greatest Music Albums chart changes
| Biggest climbers |
|---|
| Up 1 from 100th to 99th Bloom by Beach House |
| Up 1 from 99th to 98th Violator by Depeche Mode |
| Up 1 from 98th to 97th An Awesome Wave by alt-J |
| Leavers |
|---|
 Fleet Foxesby Fleet Foxes |
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Top 100 Greatest Music Albums ratings
88/100 (from 38 votes)
where:
av = trimmed mean average rating an item has currently received.
n = number of ratings an item has currently received.
m = minimum number of ratings required for an item to appear in a 'top-rated' chart (currently 10).
AV = the site mean average rating.
Showing latest 5 ratings for this chart. | Show all 38 ratings for this chart.
| Rating | Date updated | Member | Chart ratings | Avg. chart rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
90/100  | 04/12/2023 17:47 | chavaloricardin | | 83/100 |
85/100 | 09/04/2022 11:28 | Thearei30ee | | 88/100 |
95/100 | 07/03/2022 18:38 |  ffudnebbuh | | 91/100 |
85/100 | 06/25/2022 23:42 | Rm12398 | | 89/100 |
100/100 | 01/17/2022 20:46 | wizardalien | | 88/100 |
Rating metrics:
Outliers can be removed when calculating a mean average to dampen the effects of ratings outside the normal distribution. This figure is provided as the trimmed mean. A high standard deviation can be legitimate, but can sometimes indicate 'gaming' is occurring. Consider a simplified example* of an item receiving ratings of 100, 50, & 0. The mean average rating would be 50. However, ratings of 55, 50 & 45 could also result in the same average. The second average might be more trusted because there is more consensus around a particular rating (a lower deviation).
(*In practice, some charts can have several thousand ratings)
This chart is rated in the top 12% of all charts on BestEverAlbums.com. This chart has a Bayesian average rating of 87.8/100, a mean average of 88.3/100, and a trimmed mean (excluding outliers) of 88.3/100. The standard deviation for this chart is 6.8.
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Top 100 Greatest Music Albums comments
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90/100
From chavaloricardin 04/08/2023 05:49
Siempre es bueno ver "Hopes And Fears" incluido en los charts... Tenemos 18 álbumes en común y en general, me gustaron mucho tus elecciones. Hay un par de álbumes que no he escuchado todavía pero lo haré.
English review
It's always good to see "Hopes And Fears" included in the charts... We have 18 albums in common and overall, I really liked your choices. There are a couple of albums I haven't heard yet but I will.
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +1 votes (1 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
95/100
From ffudnebbuh 07/03/2022 18:40
ffudnebbuh 07/03/2022 18:40
Like your chart, am familiar with most of it and the artists that I am not, I will put on Pandora or Spotify. That is the only way that I can keep up with everything going on.
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +1 votes (1 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
100/100
From wizardalien 01/17/2022 20:49
Very nice. It's actually very similar to mine despite us clearly being of different eras. There's still a lot of yours that I haven't even listened to, so I think I might have to listen to some of your top 100 as it seems we have similar tastes...
Got to love anyone's chart that also has Inform Educate Entertain, Seldom Seen Kid, An Awesome Wave and Sleeping with Ghosts - all four are underrated on this site overall.
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +1 votes (1 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
85/100
From 
CharlieBarley 12/29/2021 09:59
CharlieBarley 12/29/2021 09:59
Great chart mate. I used to have Wish You Were Here as my number one for years. It is my favourite album really but I like to mix it up.
You have a broad and eclectic taste in music.
All my peeps like Amy McDonald.
Good to see War of the Worlds. We did that at school too . Back in 85.
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +1 votes (1 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
85/100
From 
Goliath 12/28/2021 10:52
Goliath 12/28/2021 10:52
Nothing wrong with having Pink Floyd at number 1 and 2. Slightly too many in the 2000's for me, otherwise interesting chart.
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +1 votes (1 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
90/100
From 
rockbluesfolkjaz 12/19/2021 20:57
rockbluesfolkjaz 12/19/2021 20:57
Interesting list. I love seeing Floyd's Wish You Were Here at or close to the top. Having Dark Side beneath it is daring for sure. There's nothing wrong with being 2 of course, and personal taste is what individual lists are all about anyway.
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +1 votes (1 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
100/100
From StreakyNuno 12/19/2021 16:32
Great albuns!!! Pink Floyd in first and second?
Fantastic👌
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +1 votes (1 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
From craab 11/25/2021 05:03
Great comments. I love your chart. Got some leads off it to for my own listening, e.g. Amy McDonald.
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +1 votes (1 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
85/100
From 
Larcx13 10/27/2020 08:23
Larcx13 10/27/2020 08:23
Some really good picks. im not a big fan of kanye and coldplay. I really dont understand the appeal. To each their own..
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +2 votes (2 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
85/100
From pctrooper 05/04/2020 00:06
Have to say, many picks are a bit too hip for myself (if maybe that is the right word). Arcade Fire, Modest Mouse, Coldplay for example I usually can't be bothered with. Nevertheless, there is a good batch of mutually respected albums between you and I, and I appreciate all your words of describing music and sharing your perspective. I really like your #1 choice a lot.
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +1 votes (1 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
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| Best Ever Artists | |
|---|---|
| 1. The Beatles | |
| 2. Radiohead | |
| 3. Pink Floyd | |
| 4. David Bowie | |
| 5. Bob Dylan | |
| 6. Led Zeppelin | |
| 7. The Rolling Stones | |
| 8. Arcade Fire | |
| 9. The Velvet Underground | |
| 10. Kendrick Lamar | |
| 11. Nirvana | |
| 12. Neil Young | |
| 13. The Smiths | |
| 14. Miles Davis | |
| 15. The Beach Boys | |
| 16. Kanye West | |
| 17. Pixies | |
| 18. R.E.M. | |
| 19. Jimi Hendrix | |
| 20. Bruce Springsteen |